MAKING A POINT: Derek Staples, Senior Fisheries Officer, FAO Regional Office, (left) and C.V. Shankar, Officer on Special Duty (Relief and Rehabilitation), at a regional workshop on post-tsunami rehabilitation in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: R . Ragu

CHENNAI: Representatives of international aid organisations and the State on Thursday stressed the need for long-term rehabilitation efforts to build more resilient communities, so as to enable them to be prepared for handling disasters and minimising losses.

On the second day of the two-day workshop on `Post-Tsunami Rehabilitation of Fishing Communities and Fisheries based Livelihoods,' organised by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers, discussions on what was done after tsunami turned into assertions about mapping future priorities. Making communities stronger and better prepared to tackle disasters and promoting an integrated coastal zone management system figured prominently.

Officer on Special Duty (relief and rehabilitation) C.V. Shankar said attempts to orient local communities to disaster preparedness had worked well, as demonstrated in a village in Cuddalore during the tsunami. It was possible to save lives and prevent large-scale damage if the members of the community were given appropriate orientation and training. The government was also in the process of evolving a disaster preparedness protocol. It was also planning extensive coastal zone management to protect seaside communities on a regular basis, Mr. Shankar said. Senior Fisheries Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Derek Staples, said the mandate of the organisation was to help rural communities become self reliant and resilient.

The FAO had been supporting the Governments in tsunami-hit areas in addition to supporting affected communities directly, helping sectoral co-ordination and planning at all levels. As part of its `Build Back Better' project, FAO was focussing on aspects of sea safety, developing early warning systems, and risk reduction strategies. Three projects had been completed, 49 are underway and 13 more are in the pipeline. Mr. Staples said the organisation was now working with the government and donors to identify potential medium and long-term involvement in tsunami rehabilitation works.

The World Bank had invested $525.8 in India for the post-tsunami reconstruction work, of which Tamil Nadu had received nearly 80 per cent, its agriculture and rural development specialist, Grant Milne, said in his presentation. The focus of their attention was in rebuilding houses and public infrastructure in affected areas, he added.

The community was involved closely in the decision-making process, S.V.Anil Das, representative of the Asia Development Bank said. The bank was working with the Rural Development Department, Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, Municipal Administration department and Directorate of Special Village Panchayats in Tamil Nadu, he added.

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